RRI Live!

Listen to Radio Romania International Live

Problems in accessing EU funds

The problem of absorbing EU funds was at the center of talks between Romanias PM Viorica Dancila and EU Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Cretu.

Problems in accessing EU funds
Problems in accessing EU funds

, 21.02.2018, 13:25

On her first visit to Brussels since she took office, Social-Democrat Prime Minister Viorica Dancila met with high-ranking EU officials. On Tuesday, Dancila had talks with European Commissioner for Regional Policy, Corina Cretu. The meeting focused on Romania’s delays in absorbing European funds. Commissioner Cretu warned that Bucharest authorities needed to rush and simplify procedures for accessing European funds. 2018 is a crucial year for EU fund absorption, as Romania risks losing hundreds of millions of euros.



Corina Cretu went on to say that Romanian authorities are aware of this danger and are planning new measures. “We have agreed that concerted and immediate action is needed to approach the risk of absorption. First of all, Romania risks losing 800 million Euros under Regional Operational Programmes. The Prime Minister decided to set up a think tank aimed at simplifying procedures for absorbing European funds in Romania, and I have decided to name someone to represent me as EU Commissioner”.



One of highest risks right now in terms of losing European funding is the building of the three regional hospitals, in Iasi, Cluj-Napoca and Craiova respectively, a project started three years ago, which nevertheless reported huge delays in the implementation phase.



Corina Cretu: “Time flies. The Commission approved these projects in July 2015. It’s 2018 now, and things are advancing very slowly. The only thing certain right now, unfortunately, is the location for these hospitals, which the Government has agreed jointly with authorities in Iasi, Cluj and Craiova”.



By the end of next month feasibility studies are due to be completed. However, due to delays, the authorities have come up with a new timetable, according to which the studies will be made public in October, so that construction works can start early next year. Unless the authorities observe the new timetable, the risk of losing the European funds approved for these projects will increase exponentially. EU member states have to comply with a so-called disengagement rule, according to which the Commission can withdraw its funding if the money isn’t spent within three years of their disbursement to national authorities.



So, if construction works aren’t finished and payments haven’t been fully covered within the eligibility period, which in this case is 2023, the Commission will no longer be able to provide refunds. We recall that Romania was allotted over €20 billion for the 2014-2020 financial framework to use in economic investments, but our country has so far absorbed only 5% of this sum.

Mircea Fechet (Photo: gov.ro)
Today in the News Friday, 25 April 2025

The Environment Fund Administration gets record budget

The Environment Fund Administration this year received from the government a record budget for investments, worth over 3.2 billion euros. The money...

The Environment Fund Administration gets record budget
Minister of Education and research, Daniel David
Today in the News Friday, 25 April 2025

Measures for the Romanian education

During Thursday’s meeting, the Romanian government discussed several laws related to education. They established the legal framework for...

Measures for the Romanian education
Photo: pixabay.com
Today in the News Thursday, 24 April 2025

A new law on the magistrates’ pensions

There are several occupational categories in Romania whose employees are usually retiring under the age of 50 and whose pensions aren’t exclusively...

A new law on the magistrates’ pensions
Foto: Mediamodifier / pixabay.com
Today in the News Thursday, 24 April 2025

Downward forecast revision from the World Bank

According to its latest report, the World Bank expects growth in developing economies in Europe and Central Asia to slow down to 2.5% in 2025-2026...

Downward forecast revision from the World Bank
Today in the News Wednesday, 23 April 2025

From budget deficit to governmental debt

  The Romanian finance ministry reiterates Romania’s commitment to meet the 7% of GDP deficit target at the end of the year, and promises...

From budget deficit to governmental debt
Today in the News Wednesday, 23 April 2025

Romanian – German Friendship Day

A year ago, former Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, himself an ethnic German from Transylvania, promulgated the Law establishing April 21 as...

Romanian – German Friendship Day
Today in the News Tuesday, 22 April 2025

Romania reacts to the Pope’s Death

Pope Francis passed away on Monday, the second day of Easter, after 12 years of pontificate, and the emotion caused by his disappearance crossed the...

Romania reacts to the Pope’s Death
Today in the News Thursday, 17 April 2025

Christians before Easter

The Orthodox Christians in Romania are preparing to celebrate Easter – the feast of light and joy, considered the greatest celebration of...

Christians before Easter

Partners

Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român
Liga Studentilor Romani din Strainatate - LSRS Liga Studentilor Romani din Strainatate - LSRS
Modernism | The Leading Romanian Art Magazine Online Modernism | The Leading Romanian Art Magazine Online
Institului European din România Institului European din România
Institutul Francez din România – Bucureşti Institutul Francez din România – Bucureşti
Muzeul Național de Artă al României Muzeul Național de Artă al României
Le petit Journal Le petit Journal
Radio Prague International Radio Prague International
Muzeul Național de Istorie a României Muzeul Național de Istorie a României
ARCUB ARCUB
Radio Canada International Radio Canada International
Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti” Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti”
SWI swissinfo.ch SWI swissinfo.ch
UBB Radio ONLINE UBB Radio ONLINE
Strona główna - English Section - polskieradio.pl Strona główna - English Section - polskieradio.pl
creart - Centrul de Creație Artă și Tradiție al Municipiului Bucuresti creart - Centrul de Creație Artă și Tradiție al Municipiului Bucuresti
italradio italradio
Institutul Confucius Institutul Confucius
BUCPRESS - știri din Cernăuți BUCPRESS - știri din Cernăuți

Affiliates

Euranet Plus Euranet Plus
AIB | the trade association for international broadcasters AIB | the trade association for international broadcasters
Digital Radio Mondiale Digital Radio Mondiale
News and current affairs from Germany and around the world News and current affairs from Germany and around the world
Comunità radiotelevisiva italofona Comunità radiotelevisiva italofona

Providers

RADIOCOM RADIOCOM
Zeno Media - The Everything Audio Company Zeno Media - The Everything Audio Company